Barnett, Maxinne Virginia

Last Saturday?s sunrise was the first since 1915 that couldn?t be viewed by Maxinne Barnett. Maxinne Virginia Barnett of Calgary died peacefully at the Beverly Centre on Friday, February 24, 2006, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 90 years.

Maxinne was born on October 11, 1915 in Maple Creek, SK. She was the second child of Thomas Wesley Fox and Clara Anna May Fox (nee Rotmann), who both immigrated from the U.S.A. Christened Maxine, her given name soon acquired an extra ?n? to match that of her older sister Corinne. Their father, a dentist, moved the family to Lethbridge, AB. During her teenage years they relocated to Calgary, except for Corinne, who became a teacher and settled in Pincher Creek after marrying rancher William Boyden. Maxinne graduated from Teachers? college and taught briefly ? but preferred the business world, choosing later to work at an office in the Ford Motor Co. in Calgary. In 1947, she married teacher Ralph Barnett, son of an Alberta pioneer. Ralph and Maxinne raised their daughter Vicki and son Kerry in Calgary. The family spent many happy summers at the cabin Ralph built in Mabel Lake, B.C., where Maxinne was renowned among beachfront neighbours as a superb hostess and amazing cook. Those skills were equally appreciated by their wide circle of friends in Calgary. After Ralph retired, Maxinne worked ten years for the Calgary Board of Education in duties that included office management and maintaining a professional library. The Board?s letters of praise demonstrated how highly she was valued. The Barnetts always spent Thanksgiving with their Pincher Creek relatives, establishing a treasured family tradition that continues to this day. Maxinne?s children and their spouses, as well as her five granddaughters, will always have memories of her warm, welcoming Knob Hill bungalow, her beloved cats and the countless wonderful Sunday dinners she meticulously created until her transition to the Beverly Centre. Although weakened toward the end, as recently as last fall, Maxinne was the lively centre of attention at her joyful 90th birthday party.

Maxinne is remembered by her daughter and son-in-law Vicki Barnett and Bob Blakey; son and daughter-in-law Kerry and Laurie Barnett; granddaughters Gillian, Carly and Robyn Barnett, and Lauren and Alicia Blakey, all of Calgary; and nieces Caroline Johnson of Pincher Creek, AB and Barbara Scammel of Red Deer, AB. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph, Father, Mother and Sister.

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY?S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, March 2, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family would like to say a special thanks to the Beverly Centre of Calgary, whose staff and volunteers deserve tremendous recognition for all their care and dedication, especially her good friend Lisa Madrid.